Associations Between Feelings of Loneliness and the Type of Social Media Use Among Christian College Students: Mixed Methods Study
Andrei Sigunov, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
Loneliness appears as a predictor and an outcome of multiple mental health issues. Many people are struggling with feelings of isolation and the situation became worse after the COVID-19 pandemic. It also elevated numbers of smartphone technology users resulting in increased screen time and time spent on social media. The evidence of relationships between feelings of loneliness and time spent on social media is mixed. Whereas some indicate positive effects of using social media such as peer support, there is also evidence showing negative connections between social media use and mental health outcomes. These observations led us to assume that the type of content people face and the type they use social media (passively or actively) play a key role in outcomes from social media experience. However, there is no clear distinction between active use and passive use of social media. The current mixed-methods study examines the role of visual social media content, the type of social media use, and its association with loneliness among young Christian people.
During our study, we investigated the degree to which young Christian people’s feelings of loneliness influence the way they engage in social media activities and the amount of screen time they are exposed to. Additionally, we conducted semi-structured interviews to explore motivations to use and post on social media as well as strategies to cope with loneliness. Using a sample (N= 104) of Christian college students (Liberty University) of both male (N= 28) and female (N= 76) participants, we indicated that subjective evaluation of time spent on social media predicts levels of loneliness.
We attempted to measure the intensity of social media use by combining subjective evaluation of time spent on social media, objective screen time measures captured from participants’ smartphones, and the number of permanent posts and time-restricted posts made on Instagram. This could give us a clearer picture of how actively young people are engaged in using social media.
We found a positive correlation between feelings of loneliness and the amount of screen time (r=0.308; p<0.05). We also found that the amount of social media activity significantly predicted levels of loneliness (R2 = 0.179, F=7.218, p<0.001). The subjective time spent on social media was the only significant predictor of loneliness when controlling for other variables (β=0.334, t=3.214, p=0.002).
All 104 participants completed a semi-structured interview to determine the main reasons for using social media, perceived advantages and disadvantages of social media use, situations that cause feelings of loneliness, and main strategies to cope with loneliness.
Thematic analysis indicated communication as the primary reason for using social media and the main advantage of social media. Self-comparison, addictiveness, and false representations were indicated as the main disadvantages of using social media. Fear of missing out was the most frequent reason for participants to experience feelings of loneliness. Finally, spiritual practices such as bible study, prayers, and church community groups were one of the main strategies to cope with feelings of loneliness. Other strategies included communication with significant others and social presence.
The following study has theoretical and practical implications. By attempting to objectively operationalize the intensity of social media use, further studies are needed to adjust these measures and increase the evidence on relationships between social media use and feelings of loneliness. The qualitative part of our study provided a therapeutic implication of our results by highlighting motivations to use social media and strategies to cope with loneliness. Additionally, it highlights the importance of religious practices as coping strategies to target social isolation. Future studies are needed to investigate these strategies more deeply to establish stronger connections between discussed topics.
During our study, we investigated the degree to which young Christian people’s feelings of loneliness influence the way they engage in social media activities and the amount of screen time they are exposed to. Additionally, we conducted semi-structured interviews to explore motivations to use and post on social media as well as strategies to cope with loneliness. Using a sample (N= 104) of Christian college students (Liberty University) of both male (N= 28) and female (N= 76) participants, we indicated that subjective evaluation of time spent on social media predicts levels of loneliness.
We attempted to measure the intensity of social media use by combining subjective evaluation of time spent on social media, objective screen time measures captured from participants’ smartphones, and the number of permanent posts and time-restricted posts made on Instagram. This could give us a clearer picture of how actively young people are engaged in using social media.
We found a positive correlation between feelings of loneliness and the amount of screen time (r=0.308; p<0.05). We also found that the amount of social media activity significantly predicted levels of loneliness (R2 = 0.179, F=7.218, p<0.001). The subjective time spent on social media was the only significant predictor of loneliness when controlling for other variables (β=0.334, t=3.214, p=0.002).
All 104 participants completed a semi-structured interview to determine the main reasons for using social media, perceived advantages and disadvantages of social media use, situations that cause feelings of loneliness, and main strategies to cope with loneliness.
Thematic analysis indicated communication as the primary reason for using social media and the main advantage of social media. Self-comparison, addictiveness, and false representations were indicated as the main disadvantages of using social media. Fear of missing out was the most frequent reason for participants to experience feelings of loneliness. Finally, spiritual practices such as bible study, prayers, and church community groups were one of the main strategies to cope with feelings of loneliness. Other strategies included communication with significant others and social presence.
The following study has theoretical and practical implications. By attempting to objectively operationalize the intensity of social media use, further studies are needed to adjust these measures and increase the evidence on relationships between social media use and feelings of loneliness. The qualitative part of our study provided a therapeutic implication of our results by highlighting motivations to use social media and strategies to cope with loneliness. Additionally, it highlights the importance of religious practices as coping strategies to target social isolation. Future studies are needed to investigate these strategies more deeply to establish stronger connections between discussed topics.